RESUMO
Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o dimorfismo sexual em uma coleção de mandíbulas portuguesas através de uma metodologia métrica digital, utilizando análise estatística descritiva, inferencial e multivariada para identificar quais parâmetros são mais dimórficos e quais são os melhores preditores de sexo. Trinta e três mandíbulas (14 mulheres e 19 homens) e pertences pessoais foram fotograficamente registrados com código e sexo. Os dados foram coletados por tomografia e as medidas foram feitas pelo software Simplant Pro. Foram registrados a largura máxima e mínima do ramo mandibular, altura condilar, altura do processo coronoide, altura da sínfise mandibular, ângulo mandibular, distâncias bimentual, biantegonial, bigonial e bicondilar e comprimento máximo mandibular. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando IBM® SPSS. Os resultados mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os seguintes parâmetros: altura do processo coronoide, altura do côndilo, comprimento máximo da mandíbula e largura mínima do ramo mandibular. Na análise estatística multivariada foi possível identificar a altura do processo coronoide como melhor preditor de sexo com precisão em 72,2% dos casos. Isto permite uma diferenciação mais fácil entre mandíbulas femininas e masculinas com uma precisão de 64,3% e 78,9%, respectivamente. Foi possível concluir que a altura do processo coronoide é o parâmetro mais dimórfico e o melhor preditor de sexo na amostra.
This study aimed to assess sex dimorphism in a collection of Portuguese mandibles through a digital metric methodology by using descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistical analysis to identify which parameters are the most dimorphic and which are the best sex predictors. Thirty-three mandibles (14 females and 19 males) and personal belongings were photographically registered with code and sex. Data was collected using tomography, and measurements were made using the Simplant Pro software. The maximum and minimum width of the mandibular ramus, condylar height, coronoid process height, mandibular symphysis height, mandibular angle, bi-mental, bi-antegonial, bi-gonial and bi-condylar distances, and maximal mandibular length were registered. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM® SPSS. The results showed statistically significant differences for the following parameters: coronoid process height, condyle height, the maximum length of the mandible, and the minimum width of the mandibular ramus. In the multivariate statistical analysis, it was possible to identify the coronoid process height as the best sex predictor accurately in 72.2% of cases. This allows for easier differentiation between female and male mandibles with an accuracy of 64.3% and 78.9%, respectively. It was possible to conclude that the coronoid process height is the most dimorphic parameter and the best sex predictor in the sample.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Caracteres Sexuais , Diagnóstico , Tomografia Computadorizada de Feixe Cônico , MandíbulaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine sex differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes and brain development from early life to 8 years in males and females born preterm. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study of infants born very preterm (24-32 weeks of gestation) and followed to 8 years with standardized measures of neurodevelopment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed soon after birth, term-equivalent age, and 8 years. The relationship between sex, severe brain injury, early pain exposure, fractional anisotropy, and neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using multivariable generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Males (n = 78) and females (n = 66) were similar in clinical risk factors. Male sex was associated with lower cognitive scores (ß = -3.8, P = .02) and greater motor impairment (OR, 1.8; P = .04) across time. Male sex was associated with lower superior white matter fractional anisotropy across time (ß = -0.01; P = .04). Sex moderated the association between severe brain injury, early pain, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. With severe brain injury, males had lower cognitive scores at 3 years of age (P < .001). With increasing pain, females had lower cognitive scores at 8 years of age (P = .008), and males had greater motor impairment at 4.5 years of age (P = .001) and 8 years of age (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Males born preterm had lower cognitive scores and greater motor impairment compared with females, which may relate to differences in white matter maturation. The association between severe brain injury, early pain exposure, and neurodevelopmental outcomes was moderated by sex, indicating a differential response to early-life adversity in males and females born preterm.
Assuntos
Encéfalo , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Estudos Prospectivos , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Encéfalo/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Pré-Escolar , Recém-Nascido , Criança , Lactente , Fatores Sexuais , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Desenvolvimento Infantil , Recém-Nascido Prematuro/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Caracteres Sexuais , Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento/epidemiologia , Transtornos do Neurodesenvolvimento/etiologia , Lesões Encefálicas/etiologiaRESUMO
Recent research highlights the influence of distraction on caloric intake in adults. This study investigated the impact of smartphone use and reading comic book on food intake of schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 years. One hundred and twenty students from public and private schools participated in experimental meal sessions. Individual parameters such as sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and eating preferences were assessed during the first session. In subsequent appointments, participants consumed standardized meals without distraction, while using a smartphone, or reading comic books in a random order. Child Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (CTFEQr-21) was administered to assess eating behavior, and total caloric intake (kcal), total amount (g) and medium/high-energy-dense amount (g) were measured in each session. No significant difference was observed in food intake among the three experimental meals (without distractor, using smartphone and reading comic book). Masticatory performance, number of chewing cycles, and time until swallow were similar between sexes and school types (p>0.05). Regression models showed that meal duration was dependent on school type, number of teeth, time until swallow and absence of distractor, while total caloric intake was dependent on school type (public), sex (male), time until swallow, and number of cycles. Besides, total amount ingested, and medium/high-energy-dense amount were dependent on school type (public), sex (male), age, size of the particles and time until swallowing, uncontrolled eating and body mass index (p<0.05). In conclusion, the primary factors affecting food/caloric ingestion were sex, school type, and masticatory parameters, while the absence of distractor had an influence on meal duration.
Assuntos
Ingestão de Alimentos , Mastigação , Instituições Acadêmicas , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Criança , Ingestão de Alimentos/fisiologia , Mastigação/fisiologia , Comportamento Alimentar/fisiologia , Caracteres Sexuais , Ingestão de Energia/fisiologia , Smartphone , Atenção/fisiologia , Índice de Massa Corporal , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
The distribution and amount of intramuscular fat and fibrous tissue can be influenced by biological sex and impact muscle quality in both the functional (force-generating capacity) and morphological (muscle composition) domains. While ultrasonography (US) has proven effective in assessing age- or sex-related differences in muscle quality, limited information is available on sex differences in children. Quantitative ultrasonographic measurements, such as echo intensity (EI), EI bands (number of pixels across 50-unit intervals) and texture, may offer a comprehensive framework for identifying sex differences in muscle composition. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of sex on the rectus femoris (RF) muscle quality in children. We used EI (mean and bands) and texture as muscle quality estimates derived from B-mode US. We hypothesised that RF muscle quality differs significantly between girls and boys. Additionally, we also hypothesised that there is a significant correlation between EI bands and texture. Forty-four non-active healthy children were recruited (n = 22 girls, 12.8 ± 1.5 years; and n = 22 boys, 13.5 ± 1.2 years). RF was assessed using EI mean, EI bands, and texture analysis (homogeneity and correlation) using the Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix. The results revealed significant (p < 0.05) sex differences in RF EI bands and texture. Boys displayed higher values in the 0-50 EI band and had more homogeneous muscle texture than girls. Conversely, girls displayed greater values in the 51-100 EI band and had less homogenous texture compared to boys (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the 0-50 EI band and muscle homogeneity. However, the 51-100 EI band correlated negatively with homogeneity (p < 0.05), particularly for girls. In conclusion, our study revealed sex-specific differences in mean EI, EI bands, and texture of the RF muscle in children. The variations in the correlations between the first and second EI bands and texture reveal different levels of homogeneity in each band. This indicates that distinct muscle tissue constituents, such as intramuscular fat and/or connective tissue, may be reflected in EI bands. Overall, the methods used in this study may be useful for examining muscle quality in healthy children and those with medical conditions.
Assuntos
Músculo Quadríceps , Caracteres Sexuais , Ultrassonografia , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Ultrassonografia/métodos , Criança , Músculo Quadríceps/diagnóstico por imagem , Músculo Quadríceps/anatomia & histologia , Adolescente , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
During early life, disruptions in glutamatergic and GABAergic synapse development in the hippocampus may contribute to several neurodevelopmental disorders, including cognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders. Caffeine is the most consumed psychoactive drug in the world, and previous work from our group has shown that caffeine disrupts visual system connections at different stages of development. This work aimed to investigate the effects of caffeine consumption during lactation in the glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic markers in the hippocampus and on the behavior of rat offspring. We found that maternal caffeine intake significantly reduced GluN1 subunits of the NMDA receptor, increased the GluA1/GluA2 ratio of AMPA receptor in the dorsal hippocampus, and decreased GAD content in female pups' ventral hippocampus. On the other hand, an increase in GluN1/GluN2b subunits, a decrease in GAD content in the dorsal hippocampus, and a reduction of the GluA1 content in the ventral hippocampus were observed in male pups. In addition, changes in the behavior of the offspring submitted to indirect caffeine consumption were also sex-dependent, with females developing anxiety-like behavior and males showing anxiety-like behavior and hyper-locomotion. These results highlight that maternal caffeine intake promotes changes in the hippocampal excitatory and inhibitory balance and offspring behavior in a sex-dependent manner, suggesting that the population should be alerted to reduced caffeine consumption by breastfeeding mothers.
Assuntos
Cafeína , Hipocampo , Lactação , Receptores de AMPA , Animais , Cafeína/farmacologia , Hipocampo/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Feminino , Masculino , Lactação/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Receptores de AMPA/metabolismo , Ratos Wistar , Receptores de N-Metil-D-Aspartato/metabolismo , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Ansiedade/metabolismo , Estimulantes do Sistema Nervoso Central/farmacologia , Caracteres Sexuais , Animais Recém-NascidosRESUMO
This study analyzed the morphological characteristics of C. brunnea adults that allow for sexual differentiation. Sensilla trichodea, spatulate setae and lanceolate setae were found on the antennae, tarsi and tibiae apex, respectively, with no difference between sexes. Females of C. brunnea have a longer and wider body, as well as a longer fifth urosternite compared to males. The shape of the fifth urosternite allows for sex differentiation in C. brunnea adults.
Assuntos
Besouros , Caracteres Sexuais , Animais , Besouros/anatomia & histologia , Feminino , MasculinoRESUMO
The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model using supervised machine learning to determine sex based on the dimensions of the hyoid bone. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 495 patients were analyzed, collecting the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the hyoid bone, as well as the distance from the hyoid to the mandible. The following algorithms were trained: Logistic Regression, Gradient Boosting Classifier, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multilayer Perceptron Classifier (MLP), Decision Tree, AdaBoost Classifier, and Random Forest Classifier. A 5-fold cross-validation approach was used to validate each model. Model evaluation metrics included areas under the curve (AUC), accuracy, recall, precision, F1 score, and ROC curves. The horizontal dimension of the hyoid bone demonstrated the highest predictive power across all evaluated models. The AUC values of the different trained models ranged from 0.81 to 0.86 on test data and from 0.78 to 0.84 in cross-validation, with the random forest classifier achieving the highest accuracy rates. The supervised machine learning model showed good predictive accuracy, indicating the model's potential for sex determination in forensic and anthropological contexts. These findings suggest that the application of artificial intelligence methods can enhance the accuracy of sex estimation, contributing to significant advancements in the field.
Assuntos
Inteligência Artificial , Osso Hioide , Caracteres Sexuais , Humanos , Osso Hioide/diagnóstico por imagem , Osso Hioide/anatomia & histologia , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Máquina de Vetores de Suporte , Algoritmos , Cefalometria/métodos , Determinação do Sexo pelo Esqueleto/métodos , AdolescenteRESUMO
Thyroid autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves disease, are significantly more prevalent in women than in men, suggesting underlying biological differences in immune system function and regulation between sexes. Plasma B cells are crucial in autoimmunity due to their role in producing antibodies targeting self-antigens, but their presence in the thyroids of women without clinical autoimmune diseases remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the infiltration of plasma B cells in female thyroids specifically excluding those with any clinical signs of autoimmune diseases. Using bulk RNA-seq analysis, we identified significant sex differences in gene expression profiles, particularly in genes associated with plasma B cells. Single-cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic analyses further revealed that the CXCL13-CXCR5 signaling axis plays a pivotal role in recruiting and organizing plasma B cells within the thyroid tissue. These findings suggest that the inherent presence of plasma B cells in the female thyroid, driven by CXCL13, may contribute to the higher risk of developing autoimmune thyroid diseases in women. Our study provides new insights into the immune landscape of the thyroid and underscores the importance of understanding sex-specific differences in immune cell distribution and function.
Assuntos
Doenças Autoimunes , Quimiocina CXCL13 , Glândula Tireoide , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Quimiocina CXCL13/sangue , Glândula Tireoide/imunologia , Doenças Autoimunes/imunologia , Doenças Autoimunes/sangue , Caracteres Sexuais , Plasmócitos/imunologia , Plasmócitos/metabolismo , Receptores CXCR5/metabolismo , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Suscetibilidade a Doenças , Fatores Sexuais , AdultoRESUMO
Maternal obesity during perinatal period increases the risk of metabolic and behavioral deleterious outcomes in the offspring, since it is critical for brain development, maturation, and reorganization. These processes are highly modulated by the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises the main lipid ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1R and CB2R), and several metabolizing enzymes. The ECS is overactivated in obesity and it contributes to the physiological activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, promoting stress relief. We have previously demonstrated that maternal high-fat diet during gestation and lactation programmed the food preference for fat in adolescent male offspring and adult male and female offspring. In the present study, we hypothesized that maternal diet-induced obesity would induce sex-specific changes of the ECS in the hypothalamus and dorsal hippocampus of rat offspring associated with dysregulation of the HPA axis and stress-related behavior in adolescence. Rat dams were fed a control (C) or an obesogenic high-fat high-sugar diet (OD) for nine weeks prior to mating and throughout gestation and lactation. Maternal obesity differentially altered the CB1R in the hypothalamus of neonate offspring, with significant increase in male but not in female pups, associated with decreased CB2R prior to obesity development. In adolescence, maternal obesity induced anxiety-like behavior only in adolescent females which was associated with increased content of CB1R in the dorsal hippocampus. Our findings suggest that the early origins of anxiety disorders induced by maternal exposome is associated with dysregulation of the brain ECS, with females being more susceptible.
Assuntos
Ansiedade , Dieta Hiperlipídica , Endocanabinoides , Hipocampo , Hipotálamo , Obesidade Materna , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal , Animais , Feminino , Endocanabinoides/metabolismo , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Ratos , Gravidez , Masculino , Ansiedade/metabolismo , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Efeitos Tardios da Exposição Pré-Natal/metabolismo , Dieta Hiperlipídica/efeitos adversos , Obesidade Materna/metabolismo , Receptor CB1 de Canabinoide/metabolismo , Ratos Wistar , Caracteres Sexuais , Sistema Hipotálamo-Hipofisário/metabolismo , Sistema Hipófise-Suprarrenal/metabolismo , Comportamento Animal/fisiologiaRESUMO
This study aimed to analyze the role of the sex chromosomes (SCC: XX/XY) and the interaction with organizational hormonal effects on Avp gene expression at the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) due to water deprivation, as well as on the vasopressinergic sexually dimorphic antidiuretic and pressor responses. For this purpose, we used gonadectomized (GDX) transgenic mice of the "four core genotypes" model, in which the effect of gonadal sex and SCC are dissociated. A significant interaction between treatment and SCC on Avp gene expression at the SON was observed. Regardless of sex, XX mice showed higher basal expression than those with XY; however after water deprivation no changes in mRNA Avp expression were observed in the XX group, while an increase for XY was reported. At the PVN an interaction of SCC, organizational hormonal, and treatment factors was observed, revealing an increase in Avp gene expression in the XY-GDX male DEP group. Although no SCC or organizational hormonal effects were observed on the demopressin-antidiuretic response and renal Avpr2 mRNA expression, an interplay of organizational hormonal and SCC factors in short and medium-term vasopressin-blood pressure regulation were reported. XX-GDX females showed a facilitated vasopressin-bradycardic baroreflex response when compared to the other genotypes. Furthermore, although vasopressin continuous infusion resulted initially in the expected increase in the percentage change in MAP in all genotypes, in XX-GDX male and female this increase was sustained until the 30-min infusion, while in XY-GDX male and in XY-GDX female mice a decrease in MAP was observed.
Assuntos
Caracteres Sexuais , Cromossomos Sexuais , Vasopressinas , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Cromossomos Sexuais/genética , Vasopressinas/metabolismo , Vasopressinas/genética , Camundongos Transgênicos , Camundongos , Núcleo Hipotalâmico Paraventricular/metabolismo , Arginina Vasopressina/genética , Arginina Vasopressina/metabolismo , Núcleo Supraóptico/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Barorreflexo , Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Pressão Sanguínea/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Several signaling pathways that converge in NF-kB activation have been linked to developing and maintaining different types of pathological pain. In addition, some mechanisms implied in the establishment of chronic pain have been demonstrated to have a sex-dependent correlation. This study aimed to determine if the IKKs/NF-kB signaling pathway is involved in establishing REM sleep deprivation (REMSD) induced mechanical allodynia in rats and its possible regulation depending on estradiol and estrogen receptors. Intrathecal administration of BMS-345541 or minocycline, two drugs that reduce the IKKs/NF-kB activity, avoided the development of mechanical allodynia in female but not in male rats subjected to 48 h of REMSD. Ovariectomy in female rats abolished the effect of BMS-345541 and minocycline. Meanwhile, the 17-ß-estradiol restitution restored it. Intrathecal administration of MPP, a selective ERα antagonist, but not PHTPP, a selective ERß antagonist, avoided the effect of BMS-345541 in female rats without hormonal manipulation. In addition, the transient run-down of ERα in female rats abolished the effect of BMS-345541. All data suggest an important role of ERα as a regulator of the IKKs/NF-kB activity. REMSD increased the ERα protein expression in the dorsal root ganglia and the dorsal spinal cord in females but not in male rats. Interestingly, ERα activation or ERα overexpression allowed the effect of BMS-345541 in male rats. Data suggest an important regulatory role of ERα in the IKKs/NF-kB activity on establishing mechanical allodynia induced by REMSD in female rats.
Assuntos
Receptor alfa de Estrogênio , Hiperalgesia , NF-kappa B , Ovariectomia , Privação do Sono , Animais , Feminino , Hiperalgesia/metabolismo , Masculino , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Privação do Sono/metabolismo , Privação do Sono/complicações , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Ratos , Estradiol/farmacologia , Quinase I-kappa B/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Ratos Wistar , Caracteres SexuaisRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Placental macrophages, Hofbauer cells (HBC) are the only fetal immune cell population within the stroma of healthy placenta along pregnancy. They are central players in maintaining immune tolerance during pregnancy. Immunometabolism emerged a few years ago as a new field that integrates cellular metabolism with immune responses, however, the immunometabolism of HBC has not been explored yet. Here we studied the sex-specific differences in the phenotypic, functional and immunometabolic profile of HBC. METHODS: HBC were isolated from human term placentas (N = 31, 16 from male and 15 female neonates). Ex vivo assays were carried out to assess active metabolic and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, gene expression and in silico approaches. RESULTS: HBC from female placentas displayed a stronger M2 phenotype accompanied by high rates of efferocytosis majorly sustained on lipid metabolism. On the other hand, male HBC expressed a weaker M2 phenotype with higher glycolytic metabolism. LPS stimulation reinforced the glycolytic metabolism in male but not in female HBC. Physiological endoplasmic reticulum stress activates IRE-1 differently, since its pharmacological inhibition increased lipid mobilization, accumulation and efferocytosis only in female HBC. Moreover, differential sex-associated pathways accompanying the phenotypic and functional profiles of HBC appeared related to the placental villi environment. CONCLUSIONS: These results support sex-associated effects on the immunometabolism of the HBC and adds another layer of complexity to the intricate maternal-fetal immune interaction.
Placental macrophages are the only fetal immune cell population within the stroma of healthy placenta along pregnancy and play a central role in contributing to the correct functioning of the placenta for the development of the fetus. Alterations in their metabolism lead to failures in their functions which are associated to pregnancy complications. Although, sex-specific differences were found in placental adaptation to pregnancy complications and outcomes, but the metabolism associated to their functions of placenta macrophages and whether they are associated to the sex of the placenta have not been explored so far. Here we studied human term placenta macrophages with special focus on their metabolism associated with their functions. We found out that macrophages from female placenta got energy from fatty acids whereas male macrophages used glucose. Furthermore, when female macrophages were exposed to a bacterial component, their metabolism or cellular function did not change towards one associated with a classic profile, but male macrophages did. These results might contribute to gain more insight into the immune-placental interactions at term human pregnancy and provide new clues to begin personalizing the pregnancy according to the sex of the fetus in physiological or pregnancy complications of inflammatory nature.
Assuntos
Macrófagos , Fenótipo , Placenta , Caracteres Sexuais , Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , Masculino , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Placenta/metabolismo , Estresse do Retículo Endoplasmático , Metaboloma , Recém-Nascido , FagocitoseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Exercise can be used as a model to understand immunometabolism. Biological data on elite athletes are limited, especially for female athletes, including relevant data on acute-phase proteins and amino acid metabolism. METHODS: We analyzed acute-phase proteins and amino acids collected at South American, Pan-American, and Olympic Games for 16 Olympic sports. We compared female and male elite athletes (447 vs. 990 samples) across four states (fasting, pre-exercise, post-exercise, and resting) to understand sex-specific immunometabolic responses in elite athletes. RESULTS: Considering all states and sports, we found that elite female athletes exhibited higher concentrations of C-reactive protein, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, myeloperoxidase, haptoglobin, and IGF1, with ratios ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 (p < 0.001). Women exhibited lower concentrations of most amino acids, except for glutamate and alanine. Although almost 30% lower in women, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) showed a similar pattern in all states (ρ ≥ 0.9; p < 0.001), while aromatic amino acids (AAAs) showed higher consumption during exercise in women. CONCLUSION: We established sex dimorphism in elite athletes' metabolic and inflammatory responses during training and competition. Our data suggest that female athletes present a lower amino acid response towards central fatigue development than male athletes. Understanding these differences can lead to insights into sex-related immuno-metabolic responses in sports or other inflammatory conditions.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Fase Aguda , Aminoácidos , Atletas , Exercício Físico , Humanos , Feminino , Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Masculino , Exercício Físico/fisiologia , Proteínas de Fase Aguda/metabolismo , Adulto , Adulto Jovem , Fatores Sexuais , Cinética , Proteína C-Reativa/metabolismo , Proteína C-Reativa/análise , Esportes , Caracteres SexuaisRESUMO
The plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, is the only living species in the genus, being notably larger than fossil congeneric species, such as Lagostomus incisus, from the Pliocene of Argentina and Uruguay. Here, we compare the skull growth allometric pattern and sexual dimorphism of L. maximus and L. incisus, relating shape and size changes with skull function. We also test whether the ontogenetic trajectories and allometric trends between both sexes of L. maximus follow the same pattern. A common allometric pattern between both species was the elongation of the skull, a product of the lengthening of rostrum, and chondrogenesis on the spheno-occipitalis synchondrosis and coronalis suture. We also detected a low proportion of skull suture fusion. In some variables, older male specimens did not represent a simple linear extension of female trajectory, and all dimorphic traits were related to the development of the masticatory muscles. Sexual dimorphism previously attributed to L. incisus would indicate that this phenomenon was present in the genus since the early Pliocene and suggests social behaviors such as polygyny and male-male competition. Ontogenetic changes in L. incisus were similar to L. maximus, showing a conservative condition of the genus. Only two changes were different in the ontogeny of both species, which appeared earlier in L. incisus compared to L. maximus: the development of the frontal process of the nasals in a square shape, and the straight shape of the occipital bone in lateral view. Juveniles of L. maximus were close to adult L. incisus in the morphospace, suggesting a peramorphic process. The sequence of suture and synchondroses fusion showed minor differences in temporozygomatica and frontonasalis sutures, indicating major mechanical stress in L. maximus related to size. We suggest a generalized growth path in Chinchillidae, but further analyses are necessary at an evolutionary level, including Lagidium and Chinchilla.
Assuntos
Fósseis , Caracteres Sexuais , Crânio , Animais , Crânio/anatomia & histologia , Crânio/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Masculino , Feminino , Fósseis/anatomia & histologia , Roedores/anatomia & histologia , Roedores/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Evolução Biológica , Suturas Cranianas/anatomia & histologia , Suturas Cranianas/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
There are controversies regarding the impact of sex on mortality and postoperative complications in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), although some studies demonstrate comparable outcomes. This study sought to evaluate sex differences regarding risk factors associated with hospital mortality and postoperative clinical outcomes among patients undergoing isolated on-pump CABG. We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of patients who underwent isolated on-pump CABG from January 1996 to January 2020. Patients were divided into two groups (male and female) and compared regarding preoperative characteristics, surgical technical variables, and in-hospital outcomes. All-cause mortality between groups was compared using logistic regression. Risk factors for mortality, along with their respective odds ratios (OR), were separately assessed using a logistic regression model with p-values for interaction. We analyzed 4,882 patients, of whom 31.6% were female. Women exhibited a higher prevalence of age >75 years (12.2% vs 8.3%, p<0.001), obesity (22.6% vs 11.5%, p<0.001), diabetes (41.6% vs 32.2%, p<0.001), hypertension (85.2% vs 73.5%, p<0.001), and NYHA functional classes 3 and 4 (16.2% vs 11.2%, p<0.001) compared to men. Use of the mammary artery for revascularization was less frequent among women (73.8% vs 79.9%, p<0.001), who also received fewer saphenous vein grafts (2.17 vs 2.27, p = 0.002). A history of previous or recent myocardial infarction (MI) had an impact on women's mortality, unlike in men (OR 1.61 vs 0.94, p = 0.014; OR 1.86 vs 0.99, p = 0.015, respectively). After adjusting for several risk factors, mortality was found to be comparable between men and women, with an OR of 1.20 (95% CI 0.94-1.53, p = 0.129). In conclusion, female patients undergoing isolated on-pump CABG presented with a higher number of comorbidities. Previous and recent MI were associated with higher mortality only in women. In this cohort analysis, female gender was not identified as an independent risk factor for outcome after CABG.
Assuntos
Ponte de Artéria Coronária , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Complicações Pós-Operatórias , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Idoso , Ponte de Artéria Coronária/efeitos adversos , Ponte de Artéria Coronária/mortalidade , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Sexuais , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/mortalidade , Resultado do Tratamento , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/cirurgia , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/mortalidade , Caracteres SexuaisRESUMO
We studied the impact of humor on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) decision-making performance and the cognitive control exerted during this task, considering sex as a moderator, and examined whether cognitive control mediated the influence of humor on decision-making. Sixty participants (30 females) performed an extended version of the IGT (500 trials divided into 20 blocks). We randomly assigned them to either an experimental group (Humor Group; Hg; n = 30), where humorous videos were interspersed in the decision-making trials or a control group (Non-Humor Group; NHg; n = 30), where nonhumorous videos were interspersed in the decision-making trials. We recorded participant performance and feedback-related negativity (FRN) and P3b event-related potentials (ERP) during IGT feedback as task monitoring and attention allocation indicators, respectively. We expected that whereas humor would improve IGT decision-making under risk in females during the last blocks (17-20) as well as cognitive control (specifically attention allocation and task monitoring) across the entire IGT, it would impair them in males. Contrary to our expectations, humor improved IGT decision-making under risk for both sexes (specifically at blocks 19 and 20) and attention allocation for most IGT blocks (P3b amplitudes). However, humor impaired IGT decision-making under ambiguity in males during the block six and task monitoring (FRN amplitudes) for most IGT blocks. Attention allocation did not mediate the beneficial effect of humor on decision-making under risk in either sex. Task monitoring decrements fully mediated the humor's detrimental influence on men's decision-making under ambiguity during block six.
Assuntos
Tomada de Decisões , Potenciais Evocados , Senso de Humor e Humor como Assunto , Humanos , Masculino , Tomada de Decisões/fisiologia , Feminino , Adulto Jovem , Adulto , Potenciais Evocados/fisiologia , Atenção/fisiologia , Cognição/fisiologia , Eletroencefalografia , Função Executiva/fisiologia , Jogo de Azar , Caracteres Sexuais , Testes NeuropsicológicosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Stress has become a common public health concern, contributing to the rising prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Understanding the impact of stress considering critical variables, such as age, sex, and individual differences, is of the utmost importance for developing effective intervention strategies. METHODS: Stress effects (daily footshocks for 10 days) during adolescence (postnatal day [PND] 31-40) and adulthood (PND 65-74) were investigated on behavioral outcomes and parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic interneurons and their associated perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the prefrontal cortex of male and female mice 5 weeks post stress. RESULTS: In adulthood, adolescent stress induced behavioral alterations in male mice, including anxiety-like behaviors, social deficits, cognitive impairments, and altered dopamine system responsivity. Applying integrated behavioral z-score analysis, we identified sex-specific differences in response to adolescent stress, with males displaying greater vulnerability than females. Furthermore, adolescent-stressed male mice showed decreased PV+ and PNN+ cell numbers and PV+/PNN+ colocalization, while in females, adolescent stress reduced prefrontal PV+/PNN+ colocalization in the prefrontal cortex. Further analysis identified distinct behavioral clusters, with certain females demonstrating resilience to adolescent stress-induced deficits in sociability and PV+ cell number. Adult stress in male and female mice did not cause long-lasting changes in behavior and PV+ and PNN+ cell number. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the timing of stress, sex, and individual variabilities seem to be determinants for the development of behavioral changes associated with psychiatric disorders, particularly in male mice during adolescence.
Assuntos
Comportamento Animal , Interneurônios , Parvalbuminas , Córtex Pré-Frontal , Estresse Psicológico , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Parvalbuminas/metabolismo , Interneurônios/metabolismo , Estresse Psicológico/metabolismo , Córtex Pré-Frontal/metabolismo , Camundongos , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Caracteres Sexuais , Fatores Etários , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Comportamento Social , Ansiedade/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established treatment for symptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. Yet, the impact of sex differences and public vs. private procedural setting on TAVI outcomes remain uncertain. METHODS: The RIBAC-NT (Brazilian Registry for Evaluation of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes) dataset included 3194 TAVI patients from 2009 to 2021. This retrospective analysis explored disparities in baseline characteristics, procedural and in-hospital outcomes stratifying patients by sex and procedural setting. Temporal trends were also investigated. RESULTS: We included 1551 (49 %) female and 1643 (51 %) male patients. Women were older (83 [78-87] vs. 81 [75-85] years; p < 0.01) but had a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (30.2 % vs. 36.3 %, p < 0.01) and coronary artery disease (39.0 % vs. 52.2 %, p < 0.01). However, women had a 3-fold higher higher risk of life-threatening bleeding (6.1 % vs. 2.4 %, p < 0.01). Women presented higher procedural and in-hospital mortality rates (4.4 % vs. 2.5 % and 7.7 % vs. 4.5 %, all p < 0.01, respectively). Although public hospitals presented ~2-fold higher procedural mortality rate compared with private settings (5.0 % vs. 2.7 %, p < 0.01), after multivariable analysis procedural setting was not independently associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Women had higher procedural and in-hospital mortality rates after TAVI as compared with men, while facing higher life-threatening bleeding and adverse events rates. Although public hospitals exhibited higher mortality rates than private centers, procedural setting was not independently associated with in-hospital mortality.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Caracteres Sexuais , Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde , Substituição da Valva Aórtica Transcateter , Estenose da Valva AórticaRESUMO
In humans, adverse physical and/or psychological traumas in childhood may predispose to developing psychiatric disorders in adulthood, including panic disorder. To model early life adversity in mice, we subjected male and female C57BL/6 J mice to a limited bedding and nesting (LBN) protocol between postnatal days 2-9 and investigated its effect on responsiveness to panicogenic challenges in adulthood. Panic-like escape behaviour was assessed during exposure to a high concentration of CO2 (20%) or in the beetle mania task (BMT), used to model respiratory and non-respiratory-related types of panic respectively. Neonatal exposure to LBN increased panic-like jumping during the CO2 challenge in male but not female mice. In an initial pharmacological validation of the BMT as a panic-inducing paradigm, undirected jumping and horizontal escape behaviours were reduced significantly by the panicolytic alprazolam (0.05 and 0.1mg.kg-1 i.p.) whilst tolerance to the close proximity of the aversive robo-beetle increased. The anxiolytic diazepam (1 mg.kg-1 i.p.) reduced only the number of horizontal escape attempts. In both sexes, previous experience of LBN significantly enhanced the number of horizontal escape episodes, indicating a pro-panic phenotype. Directed escape to access a safe ledge on the wall of the test arena, which was seen only in males, was also reduced significantly following LBN. These findings indicate that early life adversity produced by fragmented and unpredictable maternal care promotes a sex-specific increase in susceptibility to panic-like behaviour in adulthood. Whilst non-respiratory-related panic-like behaviour was enhanced in both sexes, females were resilient to respiratory-related challenges.
Assuntos
Animais Recém-Nascidos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Camundongos , Comportamento de Nidação/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento de Nidação/fisiologia , Pânico/efeitos dos fármacos , Pânico/fisiologia , Transtorno de Pânico , Caracteres Sexuais , Alprazolam/farmacologia , Reação de Fuga/efeitos dos fármacos , Reação de Fuga/fisiologia , Diazepam/farmacologia , Ansiolíticos/farmacologia , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Dióxido de Carbono/farmacologiaRESUMO
Sex and gender differences play a crucial role in health and disease outcomes. This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to explore how environmental exposures affect health-related traits differently in males and females. We utilized a sex-stratified phenomic environment-wide association study (PheEWAS), which allowed the identification of associations across a wide range of phenotypes and environmental exposures. We examined associations between 272 environmental exposures, including smoking-related exposures such as cotinine levels and smoking habits, and 58 clinically relevant blood phenotypes, such as serum albumin and homocysteine levels. Our analysis identified 119 sex-specific associations. For example, smoking-related exposures had a stronger impact on increasing homocysteine, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels in females while reducing serum albumin and bilirubin levels and increasing c-reactive protein levels more significantly in males. These findings suggest mechanisms by which smoking exposure may pose higher cardiovascular risks and greater induced hypoxia for women, and greater inflammatory and immune responses in men. The results highlight the importance of considering sex differences in biomedical research. Understanding these differences can help develop more personalized and effective health interventions and improve clinical outcomes for both men and women.